Minutes of a meeting of Standlake Parish Council, held by telephone/online conference call on 9th February 2021 at 7.30pm

Present:

          Mr. B. Parnham   Chairman

          Mrs. A. Knipe

          Mrs. L. Burton

          Mr. D. Bevan       Clerk

Cllr.  C. Mathew (OCC), Mrs. J. Macdonald, Dr. G. Dooley, Mr. S. Grace, Ms. L. Payne

1.      APOLOGIES – None

2.      ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE – Mrs. Jenny Macdonald signed her Acceptance of Office, witnessed by the clerk, and was welcomed to the council.

3.      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – there were no declarations of interest.

4.      PUBLIC ITEMS – No member of the public wished to speak.

5.      COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS - Mr. Mathew reported that OCC has passed the 2021/22 Budget with an increase of 2.99% 0ver the current FY. Mr. Mathew has written to the Oxford Times and appeared on BBC South regarding sewage flooding and discharge of sewage into rivers and water courses: he is of the opinion that much of this is due to lack of maintenance over many years. It is hoped that pressure from many sources will get through to TW. Mr. Mathew recommended joining the online seminar Eynsham’s Nature Recovery Network on 11th February at 7.30pm; Mrs. Burton and Mrs. Macdonald will attend the meeting.

6.      PLANNING -  

20/03454/HHD: Alterations to include replacement single storey rear extension and new front entrance porch together with changes to fenestration and external wall material: 90 Abingdon Road Standlake Witney: Alex and Ed Price. No objection

 

21/00150/HHD: Alterations to include the erection of a single storey rear extension, conversion of loft space with insertion of a boxed dormer window to rear to create extra living space and the addition of a solar panel and roof lights to front elevation: 83 Abingdon Road Standlake Witney: Mr and Mrs Owens. No objection

 

Appeal decision: 20/00214/FUL Erection of 3 dwellings; Land North West of High Street, Standlake – appeal dismissed.

7.      MINUTES - Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 12th January 2021, copies of which had been previously circulated to all members, were agreed as a true record and will be signed by the chairman at a later date.

8.      MATTERS ARISING

Sewage/Flooding – Mr. Parnham and Mr. Mathew continue to press Thames Water on the sewage problems in general and the situation at 98A Abingdon Road. Further pressure has been put on TW via the press, radio and TV but what effect it will have on that company is unclear; nevertheless, pressure will continue to be applied. The situation in Woodlands is unchanged since the last meeting i.e., OCC have contacted the Residents Association and look to produce some sort of a solution in the new financial year.

Roads/Traffic/Speeding/Traffic Calming – Mr. Bond-Smith has kindly donated a speed gun to the council. Mrs. Knipe and Mr. Bond-Smith have carried out speed checks 3 times in the past week and recorded maximum speeds of 47 mph (Rack End) 50 mph (The Downs) and 52 mph (Abingdon Road). The speed gun exercise will be repeated, and it is intended to use the SID equipment soon. Thames Valley Police still do not have the facility to take records of number plates so that persistent offenders can be contacted; it is not known when this will be available. Mrs. Macdonald asked if the speed gun operators were concealed; Mr. Parnham and Mr. Mathew explained that this was not allowed, and the operators must be visible.

Playground/Recreation Ground & Maintenance - Mr. Parnham has replaced the vandalised COVID notice at Windrush Way playground. No inspection has yet been carried out at Rack End playground this month due to the inclement weather.

Hornsway Trees – Mrs. Burton is still awaiting confirmation of estimates for the planting. The clerk asked that an email record be kept of any discussions with OCC regarding the estimates and also that only OCC contractors be used to plant the trees; Mrs. Burton agreed and said that this would be done. Mrs. Macdonald said that the recent cutting along the path had been done in a very sensitive way and was credit to the OCC contractors.

Skate Park – Nothing further to report.

9.      ACCOUNTS – There were no accounts payable this month. The clerk noted that there was still a surplus from the FY 2019/20, and it is likely that a small surplus will also be seen this FY.

10.   COUNCILLOR VACANCY – Mr. Parnham has distributed the names and personal information of the candidates to all councillors and he proposed that Mr. David Jeffcoat be co-opted; all councillors agreed and Mr. Jeffcoat will be invited to join the council.

11.   MORATORIUM ON FURTHER PLANNING APPROVALS – Mrs. S. Garrett was not present as proposer and this matter was deferred to next meeting.

12.   HORNSWAY BENCH - Mr. Rippin was not present as proposer and this matter was deferred to next meeting.

13.   ANY OTHER BUSINESS – The next meeting will be by Zoom conference call on Tuesday 9th March 2021 at 7.30pm.  There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.20pm.

 

 

....................................................................................... Chairman   .................................................................... Date